LuxeBook September -2021

Contemporary Indian design entrepreneurs share their journey in setting up their brands BY SCHENELLE DSOUZA Setting New Trends W hether it was setting up home offices, building cosy corners or even glamming up spaces — as people spent more time indoors during the lockdown, home renovations became the new trend. With so many potential projects, several new entrepreneurs decided to launch their own design studios and architecture firms. LuxeBook speaks to these up-and-coming entrepreneurs to understand how they executed their dreams amidst a raging pandemic. Amrutha Kishor, Elemental Fascinated by spaces and architectural designs, Amrutha Kishor pursued a Masters in Architecture from Nottingham University in the UK. Soon after, she worked with several firms in Dubai, Bangalore and UK, before opening up her own practice — Elemental, in Kottayam, Kerala. While pursuing her masters, Kishor recognised the significance of sustainability in architectural design, which later became the base for her practice. “It was like finding a missing puzzle piece,” she says. Her first stand-alone project, ‘EcoHouse’ laid the foundation for her very own firm ‘Elemental’ which was launched in July 2020, post the completion of the EcoHouse project. One of the things that individualize Elemental is their focus on climate-responsive architecture and critical regionalism, with clients who are passionate about living sustainably. Her debut project completed recently — the EcoHouse in Kerala — was built in a way where the house can cool itself without any air conditioning. A wind-tower exhaust above the central staircase as well as a mechanical exhaust system fitted in the bedrooms, help suck out the hot air to provide an effective cross- ventilation system that helps keep the house adequately airy. Currently, Elemental has several ongoing projects including four climate-responsive residences, a college campus which is being turned into a green campus and an interior design project in Texas, USA. Ankita Thadani, AT Design Studio From a very early age, Ankita Thadani had her heart set upon architecture and design. She pursued a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Rachana Sansad’s Academy of Architecture, and has been a practising architect for almost ten years. After completing her architecture course at Rachana Sansad,Thadani beganworking for GADesign inChembur, where she became the firm’s youngest associate. During her time at the Mumbai-based firm, she’d assisted with developing high-end residential projects for ultra-HNI clients such as Sanjiv Bajaj and Anil Ambani. After working with GA Design for a little less than a decade, Thadani finally decided to start her own firm— ATDesign Studio in January 2020. Following a minimalist aesthetic, the prospective projects at AT Design Studio include mostly residential and hospitality projects, since that was familiar ground for her with her years of experience in the same. Despite a few setbacks during the pandemic, AT Design sustained its momentum, as it bagged several projects from plush residences to hotels. Their most Elemental AT Design Studio ENTRE P RENEURS 22| L U X E B O O K | S E P T E MB E R 2 0 2 1 S E P T E MB E R 2 0 2 1 | L U X E B O O K | 23